Study of Rheumatoid Arthritis Remission through Complementary and Alternative Therapy

Limited information is present on the effectiveness of Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The purpose of this study was to determine the role of CAM in a patient diagnosed with RA and whether it is helpful in remission of the disease. For this study, a survey was circulated amongst patients across various age groups who are diagnosed with RA. Factors like gender, number of years of affliction, types of medicines used (allopathic, homeopathic, and ayurvedic), and lifestyle and dietary changes were recorded. The aim was to observe the role of these factors in disease remission. 25 patients in the age group of 38-75 were surveyed, and it was noted that remission was possible using complementary and alternative therapy if the disease was diagnosed early (within 3 years). 44% of patients relied on homeopathic medicine and 24% on ayurvedic medicines. 68% observed remission using these alternative medicines. 60% of patients reported that lifestyle changes including practicing yoga, strength training, and aerobics amongst others improved the range of motion in joints. These mechanisms were beneficial irrespective of the type of medication that the patient had adopted. 64% of patients reported following a diet regimen that included anti-inflammatory foods which reduced the instances of flare-ups. Complementary and Alternative Medicines prove to be strong and effective means of RA remission, thereby improving the quality of life in patients.